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What Makes a Good Business Mentor

What Makes a Good Business Mentor

A mentor is really more of a trustworthy, caring role model than a person with specific qualifications. Still, to be a good business mentor, they fill the needs that you are lacking in your ability to run your business, and must be able to advise you.

A mentor is really more of a trustworthy, caring role model than a person with specific qualifications.

Still, to be a good business mentor, they fill the needs that you are lacking in your ability to run your business, and must be able to advise you . Here are some tips on what makes a good business mentor:

If she listens when you talk (you will know if she looks at you and makes eye contact).

A mentor will make themselves available when needed.

Has personal experience that can be referred to when you have a problem.

Will show you how to be practical, and achieve your goals with the least risk and cost.

When she sees a gap in your knowledge, she will teach you or provide you with the method of learning what is needed.

Will know how to dole out constructive criticism while at the same time giving you the support and direction you need to correct an error.

A good mentor will give you very specific information on how to correct a problem without pushing you harder or faster than you can go. She is not there to force you; she is there to lead and guide you.

A true mentor cares about every aspect of your business or career. She should be able to show you how what you’ve done will accomplish your goals or how it might hurt them. She should be ready with alternatives if they are necessary.

Of utmost importance, you must be able to completely trust this individual implicitly.

Keep in mind that your mentor’s experience in starting and maintaining their own business and making a success of it, is what you will be learning from. Problems, mistakes, and wrong decisions that she made can be beneficial to you. Making those mistakes did not make her a failure instead it gave her valuable experience that can be passed on.

By teaching you to avoid those same problems, you will move forward faster.

Lastly, a mentor is there to help; he is not there to do the job for you. He is not a magician, but an advisor who wishes you to succeed.

Getting Your Work-Life Balance Just Right

Most of us need to work. Quite a lot of us want to work. We enjoy providing for our families and having a sense of financial independence. Having a job means that you can pay the bills, feed your family and enjoy life’s little luxuries. Even a relatively low paid job can be the difference between struggling each week and being a little more comfortable and secure. But work should be more than that. It’s a big part of your life. Many of us work for 40+ hours a week, 47 weeks of the year. If you take away the time that you spend commuting and sleeping, it doesn’t leave much leftover. You spend a great deal of your adult life at work, and it should be more than something that you have to do.

Work can also be a chance to socialise and make friends. It gives you an opportunity to challenge your brain and learn new things. Most of our jobs give us a chance to help other people in one way or another. You might have bad days, that’s only natural, but generally speaking, most of us aim to find a job that we enjoy. That brings more to our life than just the financial benefits of having a regular income.

What is Work-Life Balance?

But, it can only really be these things if you get the balance right. You might have heard people say that you should work to live, not live to work, but for most of us, the ideal solution and spread of our time and happiness is actually somewhere in the middle. You shouldn’t just be working so that you can have a life outside of work. This implies that your work life doesn’t count towards your happiness, and it does. You’ll never entirely be happy at home if you are worried about work, stressed out about work issues, or dreading going in the next day.

But, nor should you be that obsessed by your work that you forget how to live, or fail to give yourself time to live. Even the most ambitious people, would hate to look back on their life and see only work. Working too much means that you don’t give time to your relationships and you always feel under pressure. It can affect your mental health, and you might find yourself feeling lonely. You’d certainly struggle to find happiness in retirement. It can also mean that you don’t take the time to look after your physical health or get enough exercise. Ultimately, working too much can lead to you wearing yourself out. You’ll burn-out, get sick and lose motivation. Working too much and too hard, over time won’t just affect your home life; it can have a negative impact on your work performance.

So, we can see that balance is critical. You want to work enough to earn well and enjoy your job. You might also have goals and ambitions that you want to hit, which is fine. But, working too much and neglecting your home life can lead to illness, stress, burnout and a collapse of relationships. Give some of yourself to work, yes, but create a balance that allows you to enjoy life outside of work, get plenty of sleep and live your life free of stress. Here are some tips to help you to get that often elusive balance in your life.

Let Yourself Be Ill

One of the most significant downsides of a poor work-life balance is that we never have the time to be ill. In a world where most employees feel as though they can’t take time off sick, or phone in when they are sick, most of us are working through all kinds of bugs, which inevitably over time get worse and spread.

If you are struggling, but don’t have time to see a doctor, at least get telemedicine advice to help you to manage your symptoms. But, if they persist, take time off, you are allowed to be ill, and there’s nothing to feel guilty about.

Take Days Off

When was the last time you took a proper day off? A day when you didn’t check your work emails, or check in with the workplace WhatsApp group? If you run your own business, chances are it’s been weeks, months or even years since you had a full day in which you didn’t even think about work. As an employee, you might still struggle to go a day without checking emails and replying to work messages.

Take a day off, at least once a week. A day where you avoid all work calls and messages. You could even leave your phone at home and go out for the day. Most of us are guilty of thinking that we have to be reachable all of the time, and many managers are guilty of contacting employees during their downtime. Get out of this habit and give your real life your full attention. It’s not really a balanced life if work always has some of your focus.

Always Have a Holiday Booked

Having something booked is great. It gives you something to look forward to and means that you always know how long until your next break. This can help you to stay motivated at work, but it also means that you are more likely to actually take the time away from the business. When you get back from one break, start planning the next, even if it’s just a cheap long weekend in the same country.

Set Realistic Work Goals

One reason that so many of us struggle to find a work-life balance that is healthy and works for us is setting ourselves massive work targets. We’ve got five-year plans, and in those five years, we want to achieve more, earn more and gain promotions. We set our goals so high that the only way to achieve them is by working much harder, and much more than we need to. Ask yourself if you’d really mind if it took a little longer to achieve these targets if it also meant that you had a happy home life, good health and that you managed to reach some more personal milestones too? Set realistic goals that leave room for some fun.

But, these side hustles are only a good idea if they are fun, and don’t feel like work, or they are genuinely worth our time. If your side hustle takes two hours every day but only earns £20 a week, ask yourself if you’d be willing to work for that wage at your job. Value your time, and make sure any work that you do is worth it, either financially or in terms of the joy it brings you.

Expect Ups and Downs

Balance today, won’t be balance next week. Things change. If there’s an illness at home, your family might need more of your time. During a crucial period at work or sudden growth of your own business, you might have to work long hours. Expect periods of ups and downs at work and home, and reorder your time accordingly.

Learn How to Switch Off

If you’ve got used to working all of the time or at least thinking about work all of the time, you might find it hard to switch off. Even if you commit to working set hours every day, you might find that you’re are still thinking about work long after you’ve technically clocked off.

You need to learn how to switch off, which isn’t the same for everyone. Try going for a run, or walking home from work to give yourself a chance to burn off energy and unwind. Perhaps try giving yourself half an hour when you get home to talk about your day before leaving it behind. A bath could work or reading a book on your commute.

As you can see, there’s no fast and easy solution. It’s rarely as simple as deciding to work less and spend more time at home. That in itself isn’t always possible. It’s more of a case of finding smaller ways to save time and change your thought processes, making small changes to your work habits and lifestyle for more significant effects. It’s also important to remember that things change. Getting your work-life balance right is a long-term commitment. What works this week, might not work next year. As your work, and life changes, rethink and restructure to maintain the balance. But, the good news is, once you’ve got used to living a life of balance, where you are free to enjoy work, without it taking over, you’ll be keen to keep it going.

The Ultimate Guide To Finding Professional Satisfaction

Just because you are in a good nine to five job with exceptional promotion prospects, a decent wage and the people that you work with are a fun bunch to be around doesn’t mean that you will automatically be professionally fulfilled. Sometimes it’s all too easy to slip into a role that’s really easy and leaves you feeling unchallenged and bored. You might be able to do your job with your eyes closed and your hands tied behind your back. While this might make your days stress free, it can also make them tedious and unsatisfying.

While you could obviously change your job, there are also other things that you can try to help make your days more fulfilling. Your job is a massive part of who you are. After all, you perform these duties eight hours a day, five days a week. If your position is becoming untenable, take a look at this ultimate guide to finding professional satisfaction.

Go It Alone

Forget the humdrum nine to five and working for the man (whoever the man is) and instead branch out alone. While this can be terrifying and leave you feeling daunted at the prospect of relying on your own talents and business acumen to make a living, the challenge could be just what you’re looking for. Before you know it, you might be using your little book of contacts to network and forge a new path in your career.

You may choose to stick to what you know. If you’re working in the financial industry, you might use this as a stepping stone to becoming a self employed accountant specializing in providing services for contractors. Alternatively, you might want to use this opportunity to strike out into a whole new sphere. While marketing suited you at one point, now you might want to follow your passion for all things crafty, selling antiques or importing the latest ball bearings from Hong Kong. Whatever it is that you want to do, now is the time to do it.

Volunteer

Forget changing your job, and consider utilizing your time better. Volunteering and giving back to your local community can be the perfect way to counterbalance your dissatisfaction with your nine to five. Take some time out, just like Cynthia Telles did, and channel your skill set into a more worthwhile area. This was a lady who took it upon herself to volunteer her time in a Costa Rican hospital after she, herself, was once a patient there.

While you might not have such a massive pull toward a particular place to volunteer, you could instead focus on your talents and use them accordingly. Could you put your marketing skills to good use with a local charity? Could you help out your local school with their finances? Consider what you have to offer and get out there and offer it.

Take A Break

Sometimes we can feel stuck in a rut. There’s nothing else for it but to take a break and reassess your life, your goals and where you see yourself going in the future. The simplest way is to take the holiday that you’re owed and find yourself on the next flight to somewhere new. Whether you have two weeks or two months, take the time to consider all of your options.

You may return fresh faced and bushy tailed, and ready to return to your current role. Sometimes a break is all that you need to fall in love with your job all over again. Conversely, you may head overseas to return wanting something more out of your career. This is the time to branch out, send off your resumes to companies that you like the look of and possibly make a career switch. While you might strive for a promotion, a career change may result in a slight demotion for a time as you build up your experience. The positives outweigh the negatives as you’ll be learning a whole new set of skills and feel challenged in your role every single day.

Finding professional satisfaction can be a mythical beast to slay. Often you simply cannot put your finger on what is preventing you from enjoying your job. All you know is that you are bored, you dread waking up in the morning for the long commute, and you live for the weekend and nothing more. However, by following this guide, you can reassess, reflect and decide what it is that you want out of your work life.

How To Stay Ahead Of The Curve And Thrive

In business, surviving is not good enough. Keeping your head above water so to speak suggests your business is a disaster waiting to happen so you’ve got to change what you’re doing so your business gets a different result.

Clearly if you have started the year believing your business is in ‘survival mode’ right now, it’s most likely behind the curve and you’ve lost control of its destiny, so it’s time to do things differently so you gain back the control.

What Does Staying Ahead of The Curve Mean?

Ahead of the curve or phased another way ‘ahead of the pack’ is an idiom or set phrase.

A more detailed definition of an idiom is, it is a group of words that have a figurative meaning as opposed to a literal definition.

Essentially ‘ahead of the curve or pack have the figurative meaning: you’re out in front, i.e. leading. Relating to business, the products, services etc are better than competitor offerings.

Clearly this is the perfect position for your business to be in. You’ve got something that’s better than the competition however this doesn’t mean your business automatically succeeds.

Having the world’s best products or service is the perfect starting point, but if at the same time they’re the world’s best kept secret, your business is not likely to succeed and thrive.

Operating a business requires a plan, systems, processes, strategies and great people.

Leadership

Stepping into the leadership role and driving the business in the right direction falls on your shoulders as the business owner/operator.

If being a leader is not for you, don’t persevere in the role, hire someone more suited to taking calculated risks, and asserting control of the operation.

The creator of leading edge products may start the business however they can only take it so far. Their skillset usually doesn’t extend to executive leadership and failure to let go of the operations is why so many small businesses fail with the first few years.

Mindset

When a business is stagnating, change is needed. Continuing to take the same actions and getting the same results will likely drown the business if not immediately it will happen, so there’s a chance you’ll be in denial for while, and even feel optimistic that it’s turned the corner. However without an injection of inspiration and change, the end is nigh. Therefore fight any resistance to change starting with your mindset.

Adopting a ‘growth mindset’ that motivates productivity is key and it’s likely injecting the business with external resources is also required. The saying: you can’t teach an old dog new tricks is likely to apply to you, with the right professional input, you’ll break those hard and fast habits for the business.

In this article these areas of change promote the right mindset to focus on putting your best foot forward so your business does an about turn and eventually gets ahead of the curve and thus it’s main competitors.

Be Extraordinary, not Ordinary

Fight the desire to follow everyone else. Focus on where you want your business to be i.e. leading, not following. Set your one standards and live by them and them alone. To do so effectively you’ll need to set up some key measurements in place so you know you’re on the right track.

Objectives

Start with defining the key objectives of the business. Use the four Ws and one H i.e. what, where, why, when and how. To leave nothing to chance, remember to aim BIG.

If your objectives are to achieve the same as your competitors your business won’t be ahead of the curve, so that’s not good enough. You reap what you sow so go for it and surprise yourself with your new ‘take over the world’ attitude.

Do everything better

To do better you need to analyse what’s been happening in the business up to now. There will be some parts that are working well and they will need just tweak or two to improve their performance. That’s the easy part. 🙂

There will be major change required in the poor performing areas and this is where you need to use your external resources i.e. consultants, or mentors who are not emotionally tied to the business.

Implement the changes and deal with the resulting initial fallout with the help of your new operations leader or leadership team (internal and external stakeholders).

Now Own It

Now is the time to ‘own it’. Dominate the market and keep going. Remember to review your progress and keep refining your processes and systems. Good luck and let us know how you’re doing in our comments area.

Worried about tricky job interview questions? Here’s how you can nail them!

So you have meritoriously cleared the first screening round and have been invited for a face to face interview?

Firstly, congratulations on landing a job interview in this competitive job scenario, but the real test of your ability is yet to commence.

The Interview

With the growing need for securing a position in a reputable organization and the dearth of relevant skills and knowledge, the recruitment process especially the interviews are becoming increasingly tough to crack. The questions are no longer straightforward, “so elaborate me in this skill of yours?”, Instead, they have evolved and taken a more practical form.

The severity of interview questions depends on the industries, but there are specific reasons behind interviewers shooting tough questions:

This way they measure your experience level and expertise in the skill that you have mentioned in your resume;

This helps them analyze your body language and thought process when met with extremities;

This also helps them gain a better understanding of your personality.

But just like the tough and tricky questions, there are crafty ways of answering them. In our today’s post let us discuss some common tricky questions and how to answer them tactfully:

Q: What has been your greatest achievement so far?

Interviewers ask this question to gauge upon your values and how is your attitude towards problems. This way they observe what you can bring to the table and how can you contribute to the organization’s goals. The Interview board is looking for candidates who can fill the gap with their practical experience. Hence tailor your answer that best demonstrates your expertise with skills in equal measure.

Q: What is your weakness?

This is one of the trickiest questions, answering which without giving any thought could land you in a soup as it might reveal your shortcomings. Remember not to mention any of the skills that are required in the position you are hopeful of. A similar question they can ask is, “Do you have any regrets?”. Articulate your answers in a manner that it shows that you are self-aware but are also working on your being better day by day.

Q: Why are you leaving your present company?

The immediate answer of most candidates for this question is, throwing their current company under the bus for whatever negative experience forced them to leave it. But we would suggest you prepare for it if that is the case. Maneuver your answer so that it implies that your experience in the present company is fulfilling, but you’re looking for a greater playfield to enhance your skills and expertise. If you are being laid off, be honest and say that instead of bashing your previous employer.

Q: Explain the gap in your work history?

Unless you have explicitly mentioned in your resume that you have utilized your skills in those gap years, be prepared to get pressed on this subject by the interviewer. It is advisable to stay honest but also refrain from talking foul of your previous employer. Emphasize how the knowledge gained in your gap years will add value to the position you have applied for.

Q: How do you react in the face of failure?

Another way of asking the same question, “Are you willing to fail?” Although your immediate response would be “No” because to say yes would be to put your proficiency in a suspicious state of not being up to the mark. The contention behind asking this question would be to judge how to retaliate in tough situations and what would be your thought process in the event of a failure?

A smart way to answer this question is by acknowledging the importance of failure in helping you become a better person and then quoting examples of events where you have failed and learned a lesson from it and how that lesson will help you add value to the position and organization you are interviewing for.

So instead of sitting worried about the interview, we would suggest you brainstorm and come up with creative sometimes funny answers that you can reply to the interviewer. Just like it is not necessary that all questions will be tough; similarly it is not essential that all questions are going to be easy.

Like they say always prepare for the worst, a candidate should always stay prepared for whichever questions, easy or tough, where the aforementioned list will be of assistance.

Promoting Your Resume Business

Word of mouth can certainly be a great place to start, but after a while, those leads will dry up.

In order to get the word out about your services, you will first want to create a website. Here you can share a little bit about yourself and your qualifications, and you can also list your services and rates.

It’s also a good idea to create social media profiles on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. You may even want to consider starting a Youtube channel where you create short videos about writing the perfect resume.

You will also want to create some simple marketing materials to start, such as business cards and flyers.

Lastly, it’s a good idea to get in touch with local staffing agencies, as they can often refer you to job seekers who need help creating resumes.

If you’re struggling to get clients, it can also be beneficial to offer your services for free so you can get some samples and references on your website.

Get the Right Credentials

People will take you much more seriously as a resume writer if you have the right credentials.

Joining professional associations is a good way to demonstrate that you are qualified to write resumes. Two associations you’ll want to consider joining are the Professional Association of Resume Writers and Career Coaches and the National Resume Writers’ Association.

Are You Ready to Start Your Resume Business?

As you can see, starting a resume business takes some work. However, once you get the ball rolling, things will be much easier and you’ll soon be able to focus solely on finding and helping your clients.

If you have any questions about starting a resume business, leave a comment below.

5 Office Color Schemes That Are Good For Business

Did you know one of the most common mistakes in office design is choosing the wrong colors?

Yes, when it comes to office design, there’s such a thing as a wrong color to use. You can’t simply plaster your favorite color and hope everyone else will like it.

Your office’s color scheme isn’t going to be all about your preference and what looks good. In color psychology, colors are a huge factor in influencing the mood and energy of a person. Your choice of office color schemes will then affect your employee’s productivity, emotions, and more.

If you’re hard-pressed for the best office colors to use, consider the following:

1. Shades of Blue

Blue is a cool color, creating feelings of serenity in an office. It also creates peace, tranquility, and order.

Businesses may use blue office paint colors to also project stability and reliability. It’s great for a productivity boost while keeping a professional look. It also helps in boosting the creativity of your employees.

Most shades of blue should work, depending on the type of mood you want to create. Light blue creates light feelings, which can help employees feel airy and calm. This might work in offices with small and cramped spaces.

It’s important to note, however, that blue may also feel icy and cold. It may not be appropriate for places with colder climates, especially when people want to take refuge from the cold outside.

Strong shades of blue may also evoke stronger emotions. This makes sense as while the skies and oceans can feel calming, they can also go into a fit of rage during storms. Choose the right hue should you want to use blue as a base color for your office.

2. Black and White

Black exudes sophistication and elegance, while we see white as pure and clean. Together, these colors will evoke strong feelings from your employees and visitors.

These colors can make your employees feel powerful, which is the reason why people wear black suits to make themselves look important and why there are black tie events. It also radiates class, an important factor for your business’ image.

Another great thing about this combination is that it’s classic and versatile. While it works best for modern environments, you can still pull off a different style of office décor if you want. You can make it formal or cozy, making it also a great choice for home office wall colors.

It can make an accent piece pop so that you can draw the eyes of the employees and visitors to where you want them. With these colors, you can go minimalistic as well. You won’t need as much decoration in your office, as black and white can already create a strong impact.

3. Shades of Green

Green represents nature, creating feelings associated with nature. These are tranquility, calmness, renewal, and life.

This is a great choice for offices with little opportunities to create a space for some greens. If the office doesn’t have enough natural lighting, it’s also a great way to bring in a sense of the outdoors into the office.

People also associate green with good health, making it great if you want your office visitors to get a sense of healing. Not only that, but it may also have real healing effects due to psychology. If your employees feel reinvigorated, their body will likely follow, as well.

If you choose a strong shade of green, it can also exude energetic vibes. It can help make your employees feel more motivated to work. Whichever you choose, though, make sure you know what to ask painting companies to get the best color option.

4. Red Accents

Red is a rather powerful color and it’s often associated with anger. However, it can also symbolize love and comfort. In general, red evokes excitement and intense feelings.

For that reason, you may want to use red as an accent color rather than as a base. With the right amount of reds in your office, you can boost your employees’ energy and make them more motivated to do their work.

Offices with cool climates can also use red to create a sense of warmth in an office. Be careful, though, as it may get too hot when used too much. An all-red meeting room, for example, might create more heated arguments.

You should also think of the nature of business before using red. If you’re in the medical industry, you may want to steer clear of this color, which is the color of blood. You’ll want your customers to feel at ease, for which blue or green might work better.

5. Shades of Orange

If you want the energetic properties of red but you want to turn it down a notch, orange might work better. It’s the combination of yellow and red, both of which are full of energy.

However, it’s not as intense as red. Rather, it’s more associated with enthusiasm rather than intensity. This may be the reason why sports teams like using orange as their main color in their palettes.

Orange is also refreshing, as people often associate it with the citrus fruit. It’s also beautiful and relaxing in a way that it reminds people of the setting sun.

In general, it’s a fun color that can bring out the risk-taker in your employees. It can help remove their inhibitions and help them realize their full potential. It can make people be more social as it also evokes self-confidence and optimism.

Depending on the shade you choose, though, orange might also be comical in nature. In the United States, it’s the color of Halloween.

Which of These Office Color Schemes Are Right for You?

While these office color schemes may work as well as the other, you also have to keep in mind your branding and culture when choosing. It’s also a good idea to use the colors of your brand, which will help keep up the employees’ morale. Decide on what culture you want to create, and then choose a color based on that.